Posted on 05/20/2008 7:42:08 PM PDT by SmithL
WASHINGTON, (AP) -- Sen. Robert Byrd's stem-winding opposition to the war in Iraq wasn't in fashion when U.S. troops toppled Saddam Hussein more than five years ago.
Over the course of the war, the West Virginia Democrat, now 90, has become increasingly frail, but the old fire — along with some tears — was back as he kicked off debate on a war funding bill on Tuesday.
Speaking from a wheelchair in only his second speech since falling in February at his Virginia home and suffering other health setbacks, Byrd angrily denounced President Bush for leaving his successor with a "terrible, terrible, awful war."
Byrd, a devout Christian, grew emotional in his frustration: "How long — how long, O Lord, how long? Four thousand, eighty-one American soldiers have died. Died! One can only die once. Over 30,000 U.S. soldiers have been wounded. By the end of 2008, the war in Iraq will have cost over $608 billion."
Byrd, the longest-serving senator in U.S. history, composed himself and continued on, labeling Bush a lame duck and dismissing as "hogwash" the president's claims that Democrats are holding troop funding hostage by adding education benefits for veterans and help for the jobless.
Earlier this year, rumors swirled that fellow Democrats thought Byrd was too feeble to remain at the helm of his cherished Appropriations Committee. Byrd silenced the whispering campaign with a strong performance at a hearing last month.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Is that what he was going on about? I couldn’t understand a damn word he was saying. I don’t understand Babblese.
Fox showed some of this pathetic performance. Really, if this is the best hat WV can contribute to the US Senate, they’d be better off sending Sheets Byrd’s little dog Billy...whom he also has cried over on the Senate floor.
There should be mandatory retirement from all government offices at age 75.
Byrd is a drama queen!
Byrd’s been brain dead for years. He probably feels a kinship.
S’funny. I don’t recall the Grand Kleegle emoting about his fellow former racist Lester Maddox or about Trent Lott. I guess he saves his acting for influential Dimocrat bags of gas.
Actually, I would favor a minimum age of 55. This would eliminate career politicians and it would take advantage of people's sage experience in life because they would have had to succeeded in the private industry for 30+ years before heading to Washington.
I’m sorry for Mr. Byrd’s obvious pain for his friend; I’m also sorry he’s using it to denigrate the hard work and amazing accomplishments of our military under such incredibly difficult circumstances.
Was he able to distinguish his dog Billy from Teddy?
Dysfunciontal addle brained oafs running
the country. No wonder we’re in such a mess.
Dumbed down deviancy.
"You have sat too long here for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go."
I have the feeling that should Senator Kennedy pass away, his funeral will be the Paul Wellstone Memorial II. Hope he does well physically (and retires, naturally).
While I could never excuse his denigration of our men in uniform, I kind of feel sorry for the old coot. He lost his long time sweetheart, he’s losing his friend, and he is pathetically frail.
The Founders screwed up real bad not writing term limits into the Constitution.
While I will not speak ill of this mentally deranged individual, I can’t wait until he is no longer able to fulfill his Senatorial duties and is gone from Congress.
Byrd, a devout Christian....
Sorry, I stopped reading right there.
Things like that happen when you're 90 years old.
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